Gray & Chilwell Feature As England Exit U21 Euros
- England suffered a 4-3 penalty shoot-out defeat by Germany at the UEFA U21 Euros on Tuesday
- The young Lions battled to a 2-2 draw over 120 minutes during a gripping Semi-Final in Tychy
- Demarai Gray scored his second goal of the tournament, a brilliant volley, just before half-time
- Ben Chilwell converted from 12 yards in England's fourth spot-kick of a tense penalty shoot-out
A volley from Demarai Gray was not enough to prevent England from exiting the UEFA U21 Euro Championship at the Semi-Final stage as they fell to a 4-3 penalty shoot-out defeat by Germany.
After Davie Selke's opener for the Germans in Tychy, Gray struck just before half-time. On 50 minutes, Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham put the young Lions ahead before Felix Platte levelled the scores at 2-2 midway through the second period. While City left back Ben Chilwell converted confidently in a tense shoot-out, Abraham and Nathan Redmond were rebuffed by Julian Pollersbeck.
Chilwell, who ends the tournament having played every minute for England, was joined by his Foxes team-mate in Aidy Boothroyd’s starting line-up for the second consecutive match following a 3-0 success over hosts Poland last Thursday. Gray featured 30 times for City last term and he was on the scoresheet five days ago after linking up with Chilwell on the left flank in Kielce.
The 20-year-old winger, playing in a central role for his country, went close to replicating that feat within the opening 10 minutes when he was played through by Watford's Will Hughes. The Leicester man ghosted between his markers, forcing Hoffenheim’s Jeremy Toljan into a last-minute block, before Pollersbeck saved well on the edge of his area.
However, Stefan Kuntz’s Germans took the lead after 35 minutes, courtesy of a routine header from Hertha BSC striker Selke. England rallied and, with just four minutes of the first half remaining, a scuffed effort from Calum Chambers was deflected into Gray's path to volley it with the inside of his left boot, restoring balance on the scoresheet for Boothroyd’s young side.
Following the half-time break, Chelsea forward Abraham put England into a precious but slender lead just weeks after notching 23 goals in the Sky Bet Championship while on loan at Bristol City. On 50 minutes, the 19-year-old benefitted from good work by Hughes on the right flank to evade German goalkeeper Pollersbeck before applying a tidy finish from five yards out.
It wouldn’t last long for the young Lions. With 20 minutes remaining in southern Poland, Germany swiftly levelled matters as substitute Platte powered a header beyond Jordan Pickford from close range. Moments later, Gray was substituted for Redmond and the Leicester man can be immensely proud of his efforts at the U21 Euro Championships over the past fortnight.
After the clash went into extra-time, the Germans started to take control of the match, pushing their England counterparts back, but Boothroyd's men dug deep to reach penalties. Chilwell did his job from 12 yards, assuredly sending Pollersbeck the wrong way under testing circumstances, but the 'keeper saved Redmond's spot-kick to send Die Mannschaft into Friday's final.
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